WGAR News: Promising news for Kimberley, but industrialisation still looms: The Wilderness Society

Newsletter date: 9 March 2013

Contents:

* NITV News: Festival for the Kimberley in Sydney
* The Wilderness Society: Promising news for Kimberley, but industrialisation still looms
* ABC AM: WA Liberals promise national park on re-election
* Broome Community No Gas Campaign: Broome community calls on Shell to protect burial grounds and to intervene to stop Woodside drilling works
* Hands off Country: Bob Brown Speaking at a Broome No Gas forum
* Greens Senator Scott Ludlam: Together, we're fighting for James Price Point
* Environs Kimberley: Kimberley 'rainforest' listed as endangered by Australian Government
* Róisin Mortimer, Friends of the Earth Australia: James Price Point gas hub controversy
* Conservation Council of Western Australia: Protect the Kimberley and Prevent More Carbon Pollution
* Kimberley Campaign News
* Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign - James Price Point, north of Broome, WA

* Malarndirri McCarthy, NITV News: Rock art 'threatened by Cape York mining venture' [Quinkan Galleries, Qld]

* NITV News: Wave Rock tourism video 'filmed on sacred site' [Noongar country, WA]

* SBS Radionews Audio: Protesters say sacred site under threat [Glenroy, Melbourne, Vic]

* Other articles

* NITV NEWS: FESTIVAL FOR THE KIMBERLEY IN SYDNEY

- Video

NITV News - 8 March part 1
http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/21092931858/NITV-News-8-March-part-1
[Festival for the Kimberley starts 5 and a half minutes into NITV News.]

- Past Event

Event: Fri 8 March 2013: Sydney CBD, NSW
The Wilderness Society Sydney:
Festival for the Kimberley
"Calling all Sydneysiders: This is your chance
join us for a fun-filled day to bring the stunning
beauty of the Kimberley region to Sydney,
and to stand in solidarity with the people of
Broome against industrialisation as a result of the
planned James Price Point gas hub."
Wilderness Society Kimberley Campaign Manager Glen Klatovsky
said: "The Kimberley faces an historic moment. Will it
retain its unique social and environmental heritage, or
will it become another industrial zone? Some of the key
decision makers reside in Sydney’s CBD. Today is a first
step in telling this extraordinary story to the people
of our largest and most powerful city."
Event details including updated agenda: http://www.respectandlisten.org/kimberley.html
Event details: http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/festival-for-the-kimberley
Event details: http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/kimberley-portal-page/2...
Event summary: http://www.theblackbook.com.au/whatson_detail.asp?id=969&si=0&mi=3&yi=2013
Media Release of 27 Feb 13: http://www.respectandlisten.org/kimberley/news/media-releases.html
WGAR Background to the Save The Kimberley Campaign: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...

* THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY: PROMISING NEWS FOR KIMBERLEY, BUT INDUSTRIALISATION STILL LOOMS

- Analysis / Opinion

The Wilderness Society: Promising news for Kimberley, but industrialisation still looms
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/a-great-win-for-the-kim...
28 Feb 13: "Following Concert for the Kimberley in Fremantle on Sunday, Western Australia's Liberal Party has announced plans for both a massive new national park in the Kimberley, and a significant extension to the planned Great Kimberley Marine Park. ... This election bidding war is promising news for the environment, and green groups have welcomed the Liberal Party's most recent announcement, but are under no illusion that the threats to the Kimberley posed by large-scale industrialisation have disappeared."

* ABC AM: WA LIBERALS PROMISE NATIONAL PARK ON RE-ELECTION

- Audio

ABC AM: WA Liberals promise national park on re-election
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2013/s3701037.htm
1 Mar 13: "The Liberal Government in Western Australia has surprised environment groups by announcing a massive national park in the Kimberley as part of its re-election platform. ... The announcement ups the ante after Labor committed to expand the proposed Great Kimberley Marine Park, and create the Fitzroy River National Park. Environment groups say that while they're delighted with the bidding war over protecting the Kimberley, they'll continue to campaign against gas hub development at James Price Point, north of Broome, a project still backed by both parties."

* BROOME COMMUNITY NO GAS CAMPAIGN: BROOME COMMUNITY CALLS ON SHELL TO PROTECT BURIAL GROUNDS AND TO INTERVENE TO STOP WOODSIDE DRILLING WORKS

- Media Release

Broome Community No Gas Campaign: Broome community calls on Shell to protect burial grounds and to intervene to stop Woodside drilling works
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/broome-community-calls-on...
8 Mar 13: " The Broome Community are calling on Shell to intervene in Woodside’s planned drilling and excavation works which form part of its push to develop gas refineries at James Price Point on the Kimberley coast.
The plans have caused uproar in the Broome community because of the damage that would be caused to a fragile environment which includes an endangered threatened ecological community recently listed for protection by the Australian Government under federal environment laws[1]. The drilling area is also an Aboriginal burial ground which is full of culturally sensitive sites. Both the Broome Community NO GAS Campaign and the Goolarabooloo family have written to Minister Burke asking him to use his powers under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 to protect the planned drilling sites and the Song Cycle pathway that they are part of."

* HANDS OFF COUNTRY: BOB BROWN SPEAKING AT A BROOME NO GAS FORUM

- Video

Hands off Country: Bob Brown Speaking at a Broome No Gas forum
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/bob-brown-speaking-at-bro...
4 Mar 13: "Bob Brown Speaking to a packed Broome No Gas forum in the lead up to the WA state election on the importance of land, culture and defending the Kimberley against industrialisation and mining corporations. To get involved with the Broome no gas campaign: http://www.broomenogas.org/ "

* GREENS SENATOR SCOTT LUDLAM: TOGETHER, WE'RE FIGHTING FOR JAMES PRICE POINT

- Videos

Scott Ludlam: Together, we're fighting for James Price Point
YouTube: We are fighting for James Price Point together - AustralianGreens
Scott Ludlam: http://scott-ludlam.greensmps.org.au/content/speeches-parliament/togethe...
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZiF8XYxxhs
27 Feb 13: "Senator Ludlam describes the inspiring campaign bringing together so many organisations and individuals in defence of James Price Point on the pristine Kimberley coast in Western Australia"
"I was enormously proud this Sunday just gone to stand with Goolarabooloo traditional owner Phillip Roe, representing his people from the West Kimberley; Martin Pritchard, who spoke passionately on behalf of Environs Kimberley; and Peter Robertson, a long-time campaigner for ecological and social sustainability of our nation with the Wilderness Society, as they spoke compellingly at one of the largest rallies that I have ever had the honour to address. Dr Bob Brown also spoke passionately of his experience on the beach at Wamadan. ... "

Greens MPs: Threats to James Price Point
YouTube: Senator Ludlam on threats to James Price Point - AustralianGreens
Greens MPs: http://greensmps.org.au/content/speeches-parliament/threats-james-price-...
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9ARK7RiS_c
26 Feb 13: "Senator Ludlam takes note to answers to question without notice in the Senate on Tuesday 26 February 2013"
27 Feb 13: "Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (15:32): I move:
That the Senate take note of an answer by the Leader of the Government in the Senate to a question without notice asked by Senator Milne. ...
Will the minister protect this site? Will he stand up for that heritage site of enormous cultural significance to those people before it is ruined by earthmoving equipment? Or, will he wait until after? On the basis of recent decisions by this minister, I do not have great confidence. But there is still time to bring this confrontation to an end in a way that is much more sane than a Western Australian Barnett government would have it, where sites are signed off to be destroyed."

* ENVIRONS KIMBERLEY: KIMBERLEY 'RAINFOREST' LISTED AS ENDANGERED BY AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

- Media Release

Environs Kimberley: Kimberley 'rainforest' listed as endangered by Australian Government
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/2013/03/media-release-kimberley-rain...
1 Mar 13: "In a first for the Kimberley, Monsoon Vine Thickets, a rainforest ecosystem, has been recognised as Nationally Endangered by the Australian government.
Environs Kimberley and Indigenous rangers from the Dampier Peninsula have worked together for several years to protect, monitor and manage Monsoon Vine Thickets (MVTs) and they welcome news that the rainforest ecosystem will now be protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). MVTs were nominated by Environs Kimberley in 2009 and 2010, and the 'Endangered' category listing recognises that this ecosystem faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future."

* ROISIN MORTIMER, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AUSTRALIA: JAMES PRICE POINT GAS HUB CONTROVERSY

- Analysis / Opinion

Friends of the Earth Australia: James Price Point gas hub controversy
http://foe.org.au/james-price-point-gas-hub-controversy
"The name James Price Point is starting to ring bells across the country. Located 40 kms north of Broome, the point has been proposed for the largest gas processing plant in the world. ... The building of the gas hub would spell the destruction of James Price Point, which is a unique ecosystem and home to the Goolarabooloo and Jabba Jabba people. It would waste significant sums of taxpayer's money in the construction of a new processing site when viable alternatives are already in operation in the Pilbara." Róisin Mortimer

* CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA: PROTECT THE KIMBERLEY AND PREVENT MORE CARBON POLLUTION

- Take Action

Conservation Council of Western Australia: Protect the Kimberley and Prevent More Carbon Pollution
http://ccwa.org.au/content/protect-kimberley-and-prevent-more-carbon-pol...
"Take Action to Protect the Kimberley and stop WA’s greenhouse pollution rising by 50%. The WA Government has recently revealed that the proposed Kimberley gas hub and industrial port near Broome would not only devastate the unique Kimberley coast but would increase WA’s greenhouse pollution by up to 50%. The good news is this appalling project doesn't have environmental approval from Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke. Without his approval it can't go ahead, but we urgently need your help to convince the Minister to make an informed decision!"

* KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN NEWS

- News

The Wilderness Society: Kimberley Concert attracts 20,000
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/kimberley/kimberley-concert-attra...
5 Mar 13: "Last weekend, more than 20,000 people attended Concert for the Kimberley in Perth, Western Australia. Headline acts John Butler, Missy Higgins, and Ball Park Music generously gave their time to the cause, and the turn out was sensational. The event – hosted by the Wilderness Society in collaboration with John Butler's team at Jarrah Records – far exceeded our expectations. More than 10,000 people were inspired to march through the streets of Fremantle to protest the state government's plan for a destructive gas hub at James Price Point in the Kimberley."

Environs Kimberley: The gas - where’s it going?
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/2013/03/the-gas-wheres-it-going/
5 Mar 13: "The Department of State Development (DSD), proponent for the gas precinct at James Price Point, has sent its proposal to the Federal government. The proposal must be described in detail and DSD has to explain how it has addressed concerns expressed in the 11,000 submissions on the draft and 244 appeals to the Environmental Protection Authority. DSD also had to show it has met the terms of reference for the agreement with the Feds in 2008 about their assessment of the project."

- Audio

ABC PM: WA waives carbon emission restrictions on gas project
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2013/s3703972.htm
5 Mar 13: "Environmentalists fear that a decision which could lead to an increase in emissions may have come about by a West Australian Government misunderstanding of the carbon tax regime. The state's Environment Minister has decided to waive emission restrictions on Chevron's Wheatstone project, as well as the prospective Browse Basin project. Bill Marmion said the conditions were unnecessary because of the carbon tax. Freedom of Information documents obtained by PM show the Minister went against the advice of his own department, and the Environmental Protection Authority."

- Analysis / Opinion

WA Business News: Analysis: James Price Point ... dead before dying
http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/article/Analysis-James-Price-Point-dead...?
5 Mar 13: "Political and environmental pressure on the state government, whichever side wins Saturday, will have no effect on the future of the onshore gas processing centre proposed for James Price Point in the Kimberley - the global gas glut has already killed it." Tim Treadgold

ABC Kimberley: Court to hear gas hub native title withdrawal bid
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-01/court-to-hear-gas-hub-native-title...
1 Mar 13: "The Federal Court will today consider an application by Aboriginal families at the centre of the Kimberley gas hub deal to abandon their native title claim. The Jabirr-Jabirr and Goolarabooloo people have had a joint claim over the land at James Price Point for 15 years. Two years ago, they signed off on a $1.5 billion land deal with Woodside and the Western Australian Government. However, the groups remain divided over whether to support the $35 billion development and earlier this month voted to withdraw their joint claim and lodge separate, competing claims. The application to withdraw the claim has to be approved by the Federal Court."

* BACKGROUND TO THE SAVE THE KIMBERLEY CAMPAIGN - JAMES PRICE POINT, NORTH OF BROOME, WA

Last updated: 1 March 2013

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/11/22/wgar-news-background-to-the-save-the-...

* MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY, NITV NEWS: ROCK ART 'THREATENED BY CAPE YORK MINING VENTURE'

- Video

SBS World News: Rock art 'threatened by Cape York mining venture'
Source: Malarndirri McCarthy, NITV News
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1743532/Rock-art-threatened-by-Cape-Y...
5 Mar 13: "Traditional owners in Queensland's Cape York region are concerned that a possible mining venture in the area could damage some of the oldest rock art in the country. The Quinkan Galleries contain rock art that dates back 30,000 years, and covers over 200,000 hectares of sandstone. A plan by Jacaranda Minerals - a subsidiary of Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting -to seek an exploration licence has prompted locals to ask the federal government to world heritage list the area in order to protect it."

- Related News

Australian: Rock art row: writing on wall if Gina Rinehart digs
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/rock-art-row-writing-on-wall...
2 Mar 13: "MINING magnate Gina Rinehart has sought permission to explore for minerals over some of Australia's oldest and most famous Aboriginal rock art, near Laura, on Cape York. Traditional owners are furious about the plans and have asked federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to place the area, 50km west of Cooktown, on the World Heritage list to protect it."

* NITV NEWS: WAVE ROCK TOURISM VIDEO 'FILMED ON SACRED SITE'

- Video

SBS World News: Wave Rock tourism video 'filmed on sacred site'
Source: NITV
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1744284/Wave-Rock-tourism-video-filme...
7 Mar 13: "A promotional video shot at one of Western Australia's top tourist draw-cards has stirred up threats of legal action. InfinityList, a Melbourne sports website and Mercedes-Benz filmed the ad at Wave Rock, with BMX rider Danny Campbell riding through the landscape. But an Aboriginal land council says the ad is inappropriate and is calling for it to be removed. "This is a very significant place in that overall picture which crosses all of Noongar country and has a value that goes up into the desert and further east from Noongar country itself," said CEO of South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council, Greg Kelly."

* SBS RADIONEWS AUDIO: PROTESTERS SAY SACRED SITE UNDER THREAT

- Audio Interview

SBS Radionews Podcasts: Protesters say sacred site under threat
By Zara Zaher
http://www.sbs.com.au/podcasts/Podcasts/radionews/episode/256678/Protest...
4 Mar 13: "Aboriginal protesters are campaigning against what they say are Victorian government plans to sell a sacred site in Melbourne to developers. They say the Ballerrt Mooroop site in the northern suburn of Glenroy includes a spiritual healing tree and ceremonial ground. Tensions over the site go back to 2011, when the Ballerrt Mooroop College was closed, with the state government claiming low student numbers. ... Ms Williams-Weston spoke with Zara Zaher about the significance of the site for her community."

* OTHER ARTICLES:

- Audio

ABC Radio National: Red Dirt Dreaming Part Two - The Pilbara
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/red-dirt-dreaming-part-...
3 Mar 13: "The Pilbara may sit alongside the Kimberley on the map but it’s a different world; a world of fluorescent yellow and blue, hi-visibility mining shirts and steel-capped boots; a world where mile after mile of powerlines rudely interrupt the watercolour landscape that stretches as far as you can see; a world that’s been inhabited by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years; and a world where indigenous poverty and great mining wealth collide."

- News

SMH: Langton failed to disclose mining company funding
http://www.smh.com.au/national/langton-failed-to-disclose-mining-company...
2 Mar 13: "LEADING environmentalists have criticised the ABC and Professor Marcia Langton after revelations her recent ABC Boyer Lectures, in which she praised the mining industry's role in the emergence of an Aboriginal middle class and delivered a broadside against the green movement, drew on research partially funded by big mining companies. Santos contributed $45,000, Woodside $30,000, and the federal government's Indigenous Affairs Department $300,000 to a four-year research project led by Professor Langton into economic empowerment in indigenous communities."

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